COLUMBIA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
BYLAWS
Accepted Dec 13, 2005
1.1 The name of this organization shall be the Columbia County Democratic Central Committee, hereafter referred to as “CCDCC”
2.1 The purpose of the CCDCC shall be to further the aims of the Democratic Party, to work for the election of democratic candidates, and to be a link between the citizens and government for the betterment of the government and the people.
3.1 The CCDCC has the power, consistent with the law and these by-laws, to manage the affairs and transact the business of the CCDCC, including the authority to fill vacancies when they occur in the office Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Congressional Committeeperson, delegates to the State Central Committee and CCDCC precinct persons.
4.1 The members of the CCDCC shall consist of the officers of this committee, the precinct committeepersons and the elected and appointed Democratic officeholders of Columbia County.
4.2 Precinct Committeepersons shall be elected in the primary election in accordance with Oregon Law. In those precincts where a precinct committeeperson or persons are not elected, or when vacancies may occur after election, the CCDCC may fill vacancies. Selection shall be by majority vote of the duly elected and selected precinct committeepersons only, either at the initial organizational meeting or any regular meeting thereafter. An elected Committeeperson who represents a precinct which is subsequently combined, consolidated or abolished shall continue to be a member of the CCDCC until the next regular election for precinct office.
4.2.1 A precinct committeeperson may resign from the office of precinct committeeperson by filing a written notice of resignation to the Chairperson or DC C Executive Board. Upon receipt of the notification of a resignation, the Central Committee can proceed to fill the vacant office of precinct committeeperson, as provided in Section 4.2.2.
4.2.2 As a matter of record of explanation for repeated absences (see 8.2) from the CCDCC regular meetings is requested from all precinct committee persons. When a precinct committee person ceases to be a resident of the precinct in which (s)he resided when elected, or changes political party registration, or dies, the CCDCC shall notify the County Clerk of such fact. When the CCDCC selects a person to fill a vacancy in the office of precinct committeeperson, the Secretary shall send a written notice of selection to the Columbia County Clerk without delay.
4.3 Standards of conduct. Under a democratic system, a CCDCC person may privately support and vote for any candidate they choose. Public behavior requires a Committee person to behave under a different standard. No democratic precinct person shall publicly support any person or group opposed to a candidate endorsed by the CCDCC. If a committee person does not adhere to proper standards of conduct, action may be taken under Article 8, Sections 8.1 and 8.3.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
5.1 The officers of the CCDCC shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.
5.2 Eligibility: Any registered Democrat who is a legal resident of Columbia County or a current precinct committee person within the county
5.3 Nomination and Election: The officers shall be nominated from the floor and elected by majority vote at the organizational meeting of the CCDCC. Vacancies which occur between terms in the office of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Delegates to the State Central Committee, hereafter referred to as DPO, and to the First District Congressional Committee, hereafter referred to as FDCC, shall be filled at the next regular meeting of the CCDCC.
5.4 Term of Office: The officers shall be elected for terms of two (2) years or to fill the remainder of an unexpired term.
5.6 Duties:
5.6.1 The Chairperson shall:
5.6.1.1 Preside at the organizational meeting, all regular meetings of the CCDCC and Executive Committee meetings.
5.6.1.2 Conduct the business of the regular meeting in accordance with an agenda.
5.6.1.3 Abide by the rights, powers and duties conferred upon the office by Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 248 and Democratic Party of Oregon bylaws.
5.6.1.4 Conduct all meetings by the Parliamentary Procedures of Robert’s Rules of Order as practical, except where otherwise specified by these bylaws.
5.6.1.5 Appoint all committee members and act as an ex-officio member of all standing committees.
5.6.1.6 Be an authorized signer on all bank accounts.
5.6.1.7 Be a delegate to the DPO and the FDCC.
5.6.1.8 Ensure that the CCDCC obtains precinct listings from County Clerk.
5.6.2 The Vice-Chairperson shall:
5.6.2.1 In the absence of the CCDCC Chairperson or in the event of the Chairperson’s inability to act or perform the duties of the Chairperson.
5.6.2.2 Assist the Chairperson as required and at the Chairperson’s discretion, also serve in other capacities
5.6.2.3 Be an authorized signer on all bank accounts.
5.6.2.4 Serve as a delegate to the DPO and the FDCC.
5.6.3 The Secretary Shall:
5.6.3.1 Record minutes of the Organizational and regular meetings of the CCDCC and the Executive Committee.
5.6.3.2 Provide one copy of the minutes for the chairperson, one copy for the file and one copy to each precinct committee person.
5.6.3.3 Maintain an up-to-date record of the membership, bylaws and such records as my be requested by the CCDCC.
5.6.3.4 Establish and maintain a list of the entire membership, including name, address, phone number and office held.
5.6.3.5 Send a written notice of committee meetings to the entire membership not less than ten (10) days prior to the regular meeting, giving date, time, place and any special action to be taken, such as elections and recalls.
5.6.3.6 Be responsible for appropriate correspondence as directed by the Chairperson and committees.
5.6.4 The Treasurer shall:
5.6.5.1 Be custodian of the funds of the CCDCC and maintain an account of all receipts and expenditures.
5.6.5.2 Issue checks only on authority of majority vote of the membership in attendance at any Central Committee meeting.
5.6.5.3 Be an authorized signer, with Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, on all bank accounts.
5.6.5.4 Submit a verbal financial report at each regular CCDCC meeting and submit a written copy for such report to the Secretary.
5.6.5.5 See that the financial records are open to any member of the CCDCC, following a request of the Executive Committee or to anyone else showing just cause.
5.6.5.6 Have the books ready to audit at the end of the term of office or within 15 days after demand by the Executive Committee.
5.6.5.7 Provide an additional report on the completion of each authorized project, including the final summation of the profit or loss resulting from the project.
6.1 The Chairperson may appoint the following Standing Committees:
6.1.1 The Executive Committee
6.1.1.1 The Executive Committee shall consist of all elected officers and the Chairpersons of any Standing Committees
6.1.1.2 Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held not less than 15 days prior to the next regularly scheduled Central Committee meeting.
6.1.1.3 A quorum shall be one-third of the members of the Executive Committee.
6.1.1.4 The Executive Committee shall conduct all necessary business required between regular meetings of the CCDCC and shall coordinate activities of the Standing Committees.
6.1.1.5 The Executive Committee shall require that a financial audit be conducted prior to the election of a new treasurer.
6.1.2 Organization Committee
6.1.2.1 The Organization Committee shall work to secure committeepersons for all precincts in Columbia County.
6.1.2.2 The Organization Committee shall train precinct committeepersons and supply them with a precinct map, a list of registered voters in their precinct, copy of the current “Precinct Handbook” and a copy of these bylaws.
6.1.3 Registration Committee
6.1.3.1 The Registration Committee shall coordinate registration activities throughout Columbia County.
6.1.4 Finance Committee
6.1.4.1 The Finance Committee shall prepare a budget for the approval of the Membership of the CCCDCC.
6.1.4.2 The Committee shall be responsible for raising funds to meet approved budgets and special projects.
6.1.5 Publicity Committee
6.1.5.1 The Publicity Committee shall prepare and disseminate appropriate news of the CCDCC as directed by the CCDCC and the Chairperson.
6.1.6 Legislative Committee
6.1.6.1 The Legislative Committee shall report on legislation and legislative issues, from all levels, that will be of interest to Democrats in Columbia County. They will advise the CCDCC of any recommendations of support or non-support.
6.1.7 Bylaws Committee
6.1.7.1 The Bylaws Committee shall review the bylaws and the current election laws and make recommendations for necessary changes and approval. When the bylaws are approved by the CCDCC, a copy shall be presented to each member.
6.2 Special Committees: All Special Committees may be appointed as needed by the CCDCC Chairperson. All Special Committees shall submit a complete financial report on all projects showing profit or loss.
7.1 Delegates selected to serve on various standing District, State or National Committees shall be members of the CCDCC.
7.2 Two (2) delegates shall be appointed to the Congressional District(s) plus any other Committeepersons prescribed by the party rules and regulations.
7.3 Delegates to the ODCC shall be the County Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson plus any other Committeepersons prescribed by the party rules and regulations.
7.4 National Delegate positions assigned to Columbia County shall be selected at the time of assignment.
7.5 Delegate or Alternate Delegate posts which become vacant may be filled by the Chair’s appointment, subject to confirmation by the CCDCC at its next meeting. Should confirmation be denied, nominations will be accepted from the floor and an election conducted.
ARTICLE VIII – RECALL
8.1 Officers of the CCDCC may be recalled for cause, by majority vote at any meeting
of the CCDCC where representatives from sixty percent (60%) of the precincts represented is present.
8.2 The CCDCC may request the resignation of any elected precinct committeeperson who fails to attend three (3) consecutive regular meetings without a valid reason. Recall shall follow the procedures outline in current Oregon election laws.
8.3 Appointed precinct committeepersons shall serve at the pleasure of the CCDCC and may be removed at their discretion.
ARTICLE IX – VOTING
9.1 Members of the CCDCC shall be permitted to vote in the Central committee in accordance with current elections laws.
9.2 The members of the Executive Committee shall each have one (1) vote in matters being handled by the Executive Committee.
9.3 Voting by proxy shall not be allowed.
ARTICLE X – ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
10.1 The organizational meeting of the newly elected CCDCC shall be held not sooner than six (6) days following the mailing of the notice of the Organizational Meeting, and not later than fifty (50) days after the date of the General Election.
10.2 The retiring CCDCC shall prepare an official written notice designing the time, date and place of the meeting. A copy of the notice for each newly elected precinct committeeperson shall be filed with the County clerk not later than ten (10) days following the General Election. The retiring CCDCC shall also mail a copy of the notice to the retiring ODCC. A second notice shall be sent ten (10) days before the meeting again stating time, date and place.
10.3 At the time of the Organizational Meeting, the officers of the retiring CCDCC shall make available to the newly elected CCDCC all property, records and funds owned or controlled by the retiring CCDCC.
10.4 At the Organizational Meeting of the newly elected CCDCC, before filling a vacancy in the office of Precinct Committeeperson, the CCDCC shall elect a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and such other officers as the CCDCC deems necessary.
10.5 Newly elected precinct Committeepersons shall vote on the election of the officers of the CCDCC. Unless such a person is a newly elected CCDCC Chairperson, a retiring CCDCC Chairperson shall in no instance be permitted to vote in the election of such officers. No person other than a newly elected Precinct Chairperson or a person appointed or elected to fill a vacancy in the office of Precinct Committeeperson, may vote on the election to fill a vacancy in the offices of the CCDCC.
10.6 The newly elected Chairperson shall, within 48 hours, send a list of the newly elected officers to the County Clerk and to the retiring ODCC.
10.7 If a newly elected County Central Committee fails to meet or to organize as provided by election laws, the Chairperson of the retiring ODCC shall appoint a temporary Chairperson of the CCDCC. The temporary Chairperson shall call an organizational meeting and organize the CCDCC as provided in Oregon election laws.
ARTICLE XI – REGULAR AND OTHER MEETINGS
11.1 The CCDCC shall hold a regular meeting each calendar month unless canceled by majority vote.
11.2 All members of the CCDCC, whose names have been certified and whose correct address in the mailing file of the CCDCC, must be notified in writing at least six (6) days prior to any regular meeting. Email will be the primary means of written communication, with postal mail only for those without email or for those who elect the postal mail option.
11.3 Other meetings may be called at any time by the CCDCC Chairperson, or in his
absence is in the mailing file of the CCDCC, must be notified in writing, per 11.2, at least six (6) days prior to any regular meetings.
11.4 The person or persons calling the meeting shall designate the date, time and place, as well as the purpose of the meeting, and shall notify the membership of such meeting in the usual manner.
11.5 A quorum shall consist of ten percent (10%) of the total precinct committee people, or no less than then (10) members of the precincts of the CCDCC, whichever is less. A meeting which does not have a quorum shall not be considered a duly constituted meeting.
11.6 Any regular meeting of the CCDCC is open to the public.
ARTICLE XII – AMENDMENTS
12.1 These bylaws may be amended by a quorum by majority vote (which exceeds a quorum) at any meeting. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to each member of the Central Committee at least six (6) days before the meeting at which they are to be voted on.
Approved by majority vote on 12/13/2005
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